Lincoln Middle School Principal Named Region 15 Secondary Principal of the Year

SAN ANGELO, TX – The San Angelo Independent School District announced on Wednesday that Principal Joe Gandar of Lincoln Middle School has been named the Texas Association of Secondary Principals Region 15 Secondary Principal of the Year.

"Mr. Gandar exemplifies the characteristics within our SAISD Educator Profile through his commitment to our students and his staff and by providing each student with an inspiring educational experience which prepares them to be future-ready, whatever that future may be," said SAISD in a statement.

The Secondary Principal of the Year award honors and recognizes school leaders that exhibit exemplary performance to prepare students for successes in a global community.

According to SAISD, Principal Joe Gandar "provides direction and leadership over a distinct mission and goal for Lincoln Middle School which unites the staff and students together in one cause - to provide an inspiring education which prepares students for the next level of education."

Since Gandar took over the leadership of Lincoln Middle School, the campus has implemented a new professional learning community process that allows staff to collaborate and analyze instructional delivery based on the learning needs of their students.

Lincoln Middle School is home to the innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) lab with opportunities for students hands-on, collaborative learning experiences in topics such as robotics, flight technology, mechanism, and more. Within the STEM lab, students get to work in a collaborative setting, think critically through design challenges, and communicate with one another through group projects - a great representation of the San Angelo ISD learner profile. 

"Mr. Gandar exemplifies the characteristics within our SAISD Educator Profile through his commitment to our students and his staff and by providing each student with an inspiring educational experience which prepares them to be future-ready, whatever that future may be," said the district in a statement. "Mr. Gandar will go on to compete at the state-level for Texas Secondary Principal of the Year. We extend a heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Gndar on this well-deserved honor, and look forward to continued success at Lincoln under his leadership. He is a shining example of how at SAISD, our people make the difference

Mr. Gandar will go on to compete at the state level for Texas Secondary Principal of the Year. 

 “It is such a blessing and an honor to have the opportunity to lead and serve at Lincoln Middle School. I get to impact young lives with 120 other adults that share the same vision and mission that I do. We share a vision of ‘Striving for Greatness’ and a mission that focuses on three things: Love, Encourage, and Empower," said Gandar. "The purpose is to love, encourage, and empower our kids so that they strive for greatness. The foundation is built around love. We have great kids and smart kids. I love watching them grow, and be competitors, and be believers of themselves. Those moments tug at the heart every time. At the end of the day, I’m doing what I love to do and what God has called me to do. I am so glad that He called, and I listened.”